The Dallas Cowboys built one of the best offensive lines over the past seven seasons thanks to early investments in the first round of the NFL draft.
They drafted a tackle, a center and a guard with their first picks between 2011 and 2014, creating an impenetrable line of protection that helped cultivate a high-powered offense in Dallas. Now, Joe Douglas should use this strategy as a model for the Jets in 2020, starting with the 11th overall pick in the draft on April 23.
The debate over whether the Jets should use their first-round pick on a lineman or reciever will rage on until New York makes its selection, but the Cowboy’s plan showed that the historical trend of picking quality linemen over skill position picks works. Dallas’ offensive line finished in the top-four of Pro Football Focus’ rankings every year since 2013 and finished first in 2014 and 2015 with the addition of Tyron Smith, Travis Fredrick and Zack Martin.
This unstoppable blocking machine played a major role in Dallas’ offensive resurgence over the past seven seasons. The Cowboys have finished top-six in points scored four times since 2013 and top-seven in offensive yards four times since 2011 – including 2019 when they finished No. 1 in yards and No. 6 in scoring. Dallas also took first in the NFC East three times between 2014-2018, something they hadn’t done in a four-year span since the 1990s. Both Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott immediately turned the Cowboys into a playoff team in their rookie season in 2016 thanks to quality protection upfront.
Dallas’s decision to draft offensive linemen was a stark shift in ideology for the franchise and owner Jerry Jones. When the Cowboys took Smith ninth overall in 2011, it was the first time Jones had ever drafted a lineman in the first round and the highest a lineman was taken since 1966.
Douglas knows the importance of an offensive line, though. He even asked the Cowboys for Smith and Martin when Dallas asked about trading for Jamal Adams. The Jets GM has also seen the return on investment first-hand at other stops in his career.
The Ravens drafted three linemen in the first round between 2007 and 2012 when Douglas was a scout: Ben Grubbs in 2007, Michael Oher in 2009 and Kelechi Osemele in 2012. He also grabbed perennial Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda in the third round in 2007. Though he didn’t play a role in drafting him, Douglas saw the benefit the Eagles had in taking tackle Lane Johnson fourth overall in 2013 and likely played a role in drafting Andre Dillard 22nd overall in 2019 before the Jets hired Douglas away from the Eagles.
The Cowboys, Ravens and Eagles consistently produce top-tier offensive lines, and it’s led to their consistent presence in the postseason. All three teams understand the importance of drafting talent that can protect a franchise quarterback, and Douglas should look at these examples when he goes into his first draft as the Jets general manager.
Luckily, the 2020 draft is loaded with offensive linemen at the top of the board. Any of the four tackles – Jedrick Wills, Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton – would be great building blocks for the offensive line Douglas began building in free agency. The Jets can even find quality players in the second and third rounds as well, where New York has three more picks.
The Jets have many holes to fill, but grabbing the best offensive linemen in the draft will be a crucial step in turning this team around.